SPEARFISH – A fourth-quarter defensive effort helped propel the fifth-rated Aberdeen Central girls’ basketball program to a 54-47 road win over Spearfish Friday evening.

Central, which trailed 14-5 after the opening quarter, flipped the narrative in the fourth, holding the host Spartans to one field goal and a pair of free throws in the final stanza. 

The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, got nine points from Taryn Hermansen in the fourth quarter alone, part of her team-high 20-point night. Caydi Withers tossed in a 3-pointer and Lauryn Burckhard, who had a solid third quarter, added another basket as Central surged ahead and held on.

“Spearfish is very athletic and has a lot of offensive weapons,” said Central coach Mikayla Arechigo. “They shot extremely well in the first half.”

Arechigo acknowledged her squad took a bit to find it’s rhythm on the offensive end of the floor.

“Our bigs attracted a lot of attention and we took some shots early on in the shot clock in the first half,” she said. “I’m proud of the girls’ effort and drive. It was a gut-check win.”

In addition to Hermansen’s effort, the Golden Eagles got 16 points from Withers, who had a 3-pointer in every quarter of the contest. Burckhard added nine points and Ayrlie Waldo had six.

Central will take on Sturgis Saturday afternoon to round out the weekend.

ABERDEEN CENTRAL: Ayrlie Waldo 2 1-2 6, Kenadi Withers 0 3-6 3, Kaylee Donat 0 0-4 0, Caydi Withers 6 0-0 16, Lauryn Burckhard 4 1-5 9, Taryn Hermansen 7 6-7 20. Totals 19 11-24 54.

Aberdeen Central 5 17 39 54

Spearfish 14 25 42 47

3-point field goals – Aberdeen Central 5 (Withers 4, Waldo). Fouled out – C. Withers. Total Fouls – Aberdeen Central 18.